Rick Rypien’s problems go beyond six-game suspension
When Vancouver Canucks enforcer Rick Rypien assaulted a fan in the stands during the Canucks’ 6-2 road loss to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, 19 October, he had no idea what he was getting
himself into.
He was suspended by National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman for six games after a hearing that took place on Friday, 22 October. Despite suspension, he continued to practice with
the team, but was not made available to members of the media for questions.
“He (Rypien) would have talked today, but I had given him permission,” Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault said after the practice. “He had a prior engagement.”
“Initially, we weren’t supposed to practice today...Monday was supposed to be the team picture, but because Francesco (Aquilini, team owner) couldn’t make it on Monday, we had to move
it up to Saturday. He’ll answer questions on Monday.”
The Canucks have rallied around Rypien, who attacked Minnesota Wild fan James Engquist after he had been sent off for a 10-minute game misconduct following a fight with forward Brad Staubitz
of the Wild.
Engquist was applauding from his seat, and Rypien viewed this as a taunt. He reached up and grabbed Engquist, and had to be restrained by Vigneault, team-mate Manny Malhotra, and a Canucks
trainer.
The problems Rypien could face go way beyond the six-game suspension that he is current serving out. Engquist has indicated that he would look into pursuing legal action against the NHL,
the Canucks, and Rypien himself.
In addition, although Rypien’s coach and team-mates do support him, members of Vancouver’s upper management are less than pleased, as Rypien’s actions have caused the team a fine of $25,000.
The video of the incident has since made the rounds on YouTube and other video sharing websites.
While suspended, Rypien’s salary of $550,000 will not count against the Canucks’ salary cap. In addition, Rypien will forfeit $18,548 of his salary while he is out of the line-up.
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